Machine readable code combining preprinted indicia with hand-mark data

ABSTRACT

A method of entering a hand-marked response into a system by altering a predetermined modified bar code symbol in a manner so that the bar code is rendered readable. In this manner, bar code reading devices can be utilized to detect the hand marked response. In an alternative embodiment, one of several potential responses may be marked and rendered non-decodable. A bar code reading device determines which of the several responses has been hand-marked by ascertaining which is non-decodable. Marking the response sheets may be aided by using an opaque template sheet or using a pressure sensitive overlay sheet.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/913,092now U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,137 filed Jul. 14, 1992.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to reading systems for reading bar codes andhand-mark information and particularly, to a system and method forcombining preprinting indicia with user-generated hand-mark informationto form a machine readable document which can be read by a bar codereading system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bar code reading systems for reading preprinted bar codes are well knownand are used in many diverse applications, such as, for example,shipping, manufacturing, and retail checkout applications. The bar codereading systems are generally arranged to read one or more of theindustry standard bar code formats, such as, for example, Code 39,Interleaved 2 of 5, Discrete 2 of 5, Code 128, Code 93, Codabar, UPC,etc. A bar code reading system reads and decodes the bar codes and formsa digital representation of the data which can then be displayed and/orprovided to a host computer for subsequent processing.

The industry standard bar codes are generally encoded and pre-printed onan item (i.e., pre-printed bar code on a grocery item) or are encodedand machine printed on an adhesive label using a printer. SymbolTechnologies Inc. portable printer Model No. PS1000 is illustrative of aprinter for encoding and printing industry standard bar code labels.

Hand-mark sense system are also known which read hand-mark senseinformation from a document. A common example of a document usinghand-mark sense information is a multiple choice examination, where theuser darkens predetermined areas on the document corresponding to thedesired answer to a question. A hand-mark sense reader then detects thevarious darkened areas on the document, and based on the relativeposition of the darkened areas on the document, information describingthe hand-mark sense information is formed. To determine the relativeposition of the darkened areas on the document the hand-mark sensereader must accurately feed or position the document relative to thereader. Accordingly, variations in the size and shape of the documentare limited. Finally, it is noted that a hand-mark sense reader isentirely different than a bar code reader, is not capable of reading barcodes, and generally costs more to produce than bar code readers.

There are many applications in which it is desired to combine bothpre-printed bar code symbols with user enterable data (hand-mark senseinformation) on the same document. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,948 describes asystem for reading a document which contains both pre-printed bar codesand hand-mark sense information. In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,948, fixedinformation, which can not be modified by the user, is encoded andpre-printed as bar codes. The hand-mark sense information is entered bythe user in an area on the document different from where the bar codesare printed. A reading device comprising in combination a bar codescanning device and a hand-mark sense reading device is arranged to readthe bar code and the hand-mark sense information, respectively, and toform information descriptive thereof. However, as can be appreciated,the manufactured cost for the combination reader is inherently greaterthan the manufactured cost of just the bar code scanning device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,784 discloses a method and system for reading handmodified bar codes. The reading device of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,784 isarranged to read a unique preprinted bar code having a portion thereofhand-modified by a user. The hand-modified bar code is then scannedusing a bar code reader and decoded by a unique decoding algorithm whichdetects which portion of the unique preprinted bar code has beenhand-modified. Based upon the position of the hand-mark within thepre-printed bar code, a predetermined character is output by the readingdevice. However, it is noted that the encoding format of the data isentirely different than the industry standard formats. Accordingly, barcode readers that are arranged to decode bar codes encoded in theindustry standard formats can not be used for decoding the bar codesdescribed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,784.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to develop a method and systemfor reading a document having both pre-printed bar codes and hand-marksense information printed thereon that overcomes the limitations of theprior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to develop a method andsystem for reading a document having both pre-printed bar codeinformation and hand-mark sense information thereon using a bar codereader which is arranged to read and decode industry standard bar codeformats.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of entering ahand-marked response into a system is provided using a plurality ofencoded and pre-printed bar code sequences, where each bar code sequencecorresponds to a unique predetermined character string and includes aplurality of spaces and a plurality of bars and a modified bar. Themodified bar is arranged to render the bar code sequence non-decodableby a bar code decoding device when the modified bar is not hand-marked,where the modified bar is arranged to render the bar code sequencedecodable by the bar code decoding device when the modified bar ishand-marked. The method comprises the step of hand-marking the modifiedbar of a selected one of the plurality of bar code sequences. Theplurality of bar code sequences are read by a bar code reading means anda first signal representative of the plurality of bar code sequences isformed. The the first signal is processed by the bar code decodingdevice to decode the unique predetermined character string correspondingto the selected one of the plurality of bar code sequences whichincludes the hand-marked modified bar, and forming a second signalincluding the decoded unique predetermined character string of theselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences. The second signalis then output from the bar code decoding device to the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth inthe appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as otherfeatures and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference tothe detailed description of a specific embodiment which follows, whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bar code reading system according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the document to be read by the bar codereading system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail the preprinted bar code sequencesrepresenting the ITEM selection segment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow-chart illustrating the operation of the host computerof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a document to be read by the bar code reader in a furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows in greater detail the preprinted bar code sequencesrepresenting the MULTIPLE CHOICE #1 selection segment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A shows in greater detail a bar code character of the bar codesequence of FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B shows in greater detail the character of FIG. 7A in standardCode 39 format;

FIG. 8 shows a document to be read by the bar code reader of FIG. 1 inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9B shows a document to be read by the bar code reader of FIG. 1in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a bar code sequence to be read by the bar codereader of FIG. 1 in accordance with a still further embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 12-13 illustrate a bar code sequence to be read by the bar codereader of FIG. 1 in accordance with a yet another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a bar code sequence to be read by the bar codereader of FIG. 1 in accordance with a yet another embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIGS. 15-16 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the decodemodule of FIG. 1 when decoding the bar code sequence of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

A number of specific embodiments of the invention are described herein.It will be understood that these embodiments are presented for thepurpose of illustration and not as limiting the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bar code reading system 1 is shown for reading adocument 2 which includes fixed, pre-printed bar code information aswell as variable hand-mark information. The bar code reading system 1includes a bar code reader 3 for scanning selected portions of thedocument. Various types of desk-top or portable, hand-held scannersystems are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,361; 4,387,297; and4,409,470--all of such patents being owned by the assignee of theinstant invention and being incorporated by reference herein. The reader3 outputs a digitized signal which is representative of the scannedportion of the document.

A decode module 4 receives the digitized signal generated in the reader3, and determines whether the digitized signal represents a bar codeconforming to one of many industry standard formats for which the decodemodule 4 is programmed to decode. Assuming that the digitized signalgenerated in the reader 3 does conform to one of the industry standardformats for which the decode module 4 is programmed to decode, thedecode module 4 calculates the desired data, e.g., the multiple digitrepresentation or code of the bar code symbol, in accordance with analgorithm contained in a software program. Symbol Technologies, Inc.Product No. LL500 is an illustrative example of the decode module 4shown in FIG. 1.

Upon a successful decode of a bar code, the decode module 4 communicatesto a host computer 5 the decoded data, e.g., the representation or codeof the bar code symbol. The host computer 5 utilizes the decoded data invaried ways depending upon application software resident in the hostcomputer.

FIG. 2 illustrates the document 2 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. Forillustrative purposes, bar codes conforming to the Code 39 standard areshown with the understanding that the present invention is not limitedthereto. In this embodiment, the document 2 is shown as an order formfor ordering from a mail order catalog service. The document 2 containsfixed, pre-printed bar code information describing the customer name 6and address 7A-B. It is noted that in accordance with the Code 39format, each line of the bar code begins and ends with a start/stopcharacter "*". When the reader 3 scans the bar code 6 representing thecustomer's name, a digitized signal representative of the bar code 6 isoutput to the decoder module 4. The decoder module 4 decodes thedigitized signal and outputs decoded data representing the characterspositioned between the start/stop characters "*" to the host computer 5. For example, when bar code 6 is scanned, the decode module 4 generatesthe decoded data "JANE SMITH" which is then provided to the hostcomputer 5. Similarly, when bar code 7A is scanned, the decode module 4generates the decoded data "2 MAIN STREET" and when bar code 7B isscanned, the decode module 4 generates the decoded data "TOWN NY 12345".

A user ordering section 8 is provided in which the customer selects anITEM for purchase, along with the desired COLOR and SIZE for theselected item. The ITEM selection segment 9 includes three pre-printedbar code sequences 9A-9C. The ITEM selection segment 9 is shown ingreater detail in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first preprinted bar code sequence 9A in theITEM selection segment 9 includes wide and narrow bars and spacesarranged to form a character string. The first character 11 representedby the bar code sequence 9A is a start/stop character "*"; the secondcharacter 12 represented by the bar code sequence 9A is a "P"; and thethird character 13 represented by the bar code sequence 9A is thestart/stop character "*". All the bars (narrow and wide) in the bar codesequence 9A are printed as solid black, with the exception of one bar,which is herein referred to as the invisible bar 10A (also referredherein as the modified bar), which is printed in red ink. The invisiblebar 10A is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for illustrative purposes as a hashedbox. In the case where the reader 3 is a laser scanner which scans thesymbols with a red laser light, the red printing of the invisible bar10A reflects the red laser light, and therefore, the invisible bar 10Acan not be distinguished from the white background, and therefore, isnot detected by the reader 3. However, the red color of the invisiblebar 10A can be seen by a human.

The remaining bar code sequences 9B and 9C are similar to bar codesequence 9A in that they each start and end with start/stop characters"*". In bar code sequences 9B-9C the middle characters 14 and 15 are "P"and "D", respectively. The middle characters 14 and 15 each includes aninvisible bar 10B and 10C, respectively, which is not detected by thereader 3.

The item selection line 9, as initially pre-printed, is intentionallyarrange to cause the decoding module 4 to fail to decode characters 12,14 and 15. In more detail, the decoding module 4 is arranged to outputdecoded data to the host computer 5 only when the decode module 4decodes a bar code sequence having proper start/stop characters and wheneach character between the start/stop characters are determined to bevalid characters. However, since the characters 12, 14 and 15 containinvisible bars 10A, 10B and 10C, respectively, which are not detected bythe reader 3, the digitized signal output by the reader 3 is notrepresentative of valid characters. Accordingly, the decoding module 4fails to detect a valid bar code sequence from the digitized signaloutput by the reader 3.

Color selection line 19 and size selection line 20 are similar to itemselection line 9 in that each includes a number of bar code sequences,each sequence beginning and ending with start/stop characters. Each barcode sequence also includes a character having one invisible bar (e.g.,color selection line 19 has invisible bars 17A-17D and size selectionline 20 has invisible bars 18A-18E).

Referring to FIG. 2, to select an item for purchase, a user darkens(e.g., variable hand-mark information), with a number two pencil, aselected one of the invisible bars 10A, 10B or 10C. For example, if theuser wants to select pants for purchase, the user darkens the invisiblebar 10B which is positioned over the PANTS inscription 16B. To selectthe desired color for the pants, the user darkens a selected one of theinvisible bars 17A-17D, each of which corresponds to particular color.Finally, to select a size for the pants, the user darkens one of theinvisible bars 18A-18E, each of which corresponds to a particular size.

After the user completes the entry of the hand-mark information in theuser ordering section 8 of the document 2, the document is in conditionto be scanned. A bar code reader 3 scans the fixed, preprinted bar code6 representing the customer's name and a digitized signal representativeof the bar code 6 is output to the decoder module 4. The decoder module4 decodes the digitized signal and outputs to the host computer 5 thecustomers name (e.g., "JANE SMITH"). Similarly, when the fixed,preprinted bar code 7A is scanned, the decode module 4 generates andoutputs to the host computer 5 the decoded data "2 MAIN STREET", andwhen the fixed, preprinted bar code 7B is scanned, the decode module 4generates the decoded data "TOWN, NY 12345". Which is provided to thehost computer 5.

The reader 3 is also used to scan the hand-marked item selection line 9.In the above describe example, in the item selection line 9, only thePANTS segments 9B has its corresponding invisible bar 10B hand-marked.The invisible bars 10A and 10C are not hand-marked. It is noted that thehand-marked invisible bar 10B can be read by the reader 3 while theinvisible bars 10A and 10C which are not hand-marked can not be read bythe reader 3. Accordingly, the reader 3 will generate a digitized signalrepresentative of the three bar segments 9A-9C, where the digitizedsignal excludes the invisible bars 10A and 10C which have not beenhand-marked, but includes the invisible bar 10B which has been handmarked. As can be appreciated, only the bar code segment 9B which hasthe hand-marked invisible bar 10B represents a valid Code 39 characterstring, and therefore, the decode module 4 properly decodes only barcode segment 9B and outputs the decoded data character "P" to the hostcomputer 5. The remaining two bar code segments 9A and 9C, which do notrepresent valid Code 39 character strings, are not properly decoded bythe decode module 4, and therefore, the decode module does not outputthe decoded data of bar code segments 9A and 9C to the host computer 5.

In a similar fashion, the reader 3 scans the color selection line 19.Assuming, for example, that the invisible bar 17C corresponding to thecolor GREEN is hand-marked. The decoder module 4 properly decodes thebar code segment 22C which includes invisible bar 17C and outputs thedecoded data character "G" to the host computer 5. Size selection line20 is also scanned by the reader 3. Assuming, for example, that theinvisible bar 18D corresponding to the size SIX is hand-marked. Thedecoder module 4 properly decodes the bar code segment 23D whichincludes invisible bar 18D and outputs the decoded data character "6" tothe host computer 5.

The user must be instructed to form hand-marked indications thatsubstantially correspond with the position of the invisible bar.However, it is noted that Code 39 is an extremely tolerant format, andreasonable deviations in the width of the hand-marked indications fromthe width of the invisible bar will not prevent proper decoding.

Readers 3 are generally arranged to read one single line of bar code ata time. For example, in the case where the reader 3 is a hand-held,trigger actuated, bar code reader, the operator of the reader 3 mustmanually aim the reader 3 at each of the selection lines 9, 19 and 20,and actuate the reader by pulling the trigger. However, it is possiblethat the operator could fail to properly scan one or more of theselection lines 9, 19 and 20.

Referring to the flow-chart of FIG. 4, the host computer 5 is arrangedto verify that each of the selection lines 9, 19 and 20 is scanned andto appropriately prompt an operator of the reader 3. It is first notedthat the character represented by each bar code segment 10A-10C, 22A-22Dand 23A-23E is unique (e.g., no two characters are the same). Theflow-chart starts at Step 40. At Step 41, an ITEM flag register, a COLORflag register, and a SIZE flag register are set. At Step 42, the hostcomputer 5 receives from the decoding module 4 the decoded characterwhich has been scanned. At Steps 43, a check is made to determinewhether the decode character received in Step 42 is one of thecharacters from the item selection line 9 (e.g., "S", "P" or "D") and ifyes, the ITEM flag is cleared in Step 46. Steps 44 and 45 check todetermine whether the character received in Step 42 is a character fromitem selection line 19 and 20, respectively, and if yes, the appropriateflag is cleared in Step 47 or 48. At Step 49, a check is made todetermine whether all the flags set in Step 41 are cleared, and if yes,it is determined that each of the selection lines 9, 19 and 20 have beenscanned and at Step 51 the host computer 5 displays on a display (notshown) information advising the operator that all selection lines havebeen scanned. If at Step 49, it is determined that some of the flags setin Step 41 remain set, at Step 50 the host computer 5 displays on thedisplay (not shown) information describing which of the selection lineshave not yet been read.

In FIG. 2, the user ordering section 8 contained a total of only twelvedifferent bar code segments 9A-9C, 22A-22D and 23A-23E, and therefore,it was possible provide a single unique character for each bar codesegment. However, if greater amounts of data are required to be enteredby a user, each bar code segment can contain a number of characters,where the sequence of the characters is unique for each bar codesegment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a document 60 for a multiple choice examination isshown. Bar codes 6, 7A and 7B, which are fixed, pre-printed codes thatcan not be modified by the user, are the same as those describe withreference to FIG. 2, and therefore, will not be further describedherein.

Answer rows 61.1-61.NN are printed on the document 60 where the firstanswer row is represented as 61.1 and the last answer row is representedas 61.NN. Referring for illustrative purposes to answer row 61.1, answerrow 61.1 includes pre-printed bar code segments 63A-63D, where each barcode segment is a string of encoded bar code characters, starting andending with the start/stop character "*". The alpha-numeric descriptionof the sequence of characters for each of bar code segments 63A-63D isshown for illustrative purposes as 64A-64D, respectively. The characterstring for each of the bar code segments 63A-63D is "* nn y *" (wherenn=question number 01-NN; y=answer A-D). For example, the characterstrings for bar code segments 63A-63D are "*01A*", "*01B*", "*01C*" and"*01D*" respectively. The character strings for the bar code segments ofthe 15th answer row (not shown) are "*15A*", "*15B*", "*15C*" and"*15D*.

Each of the bar code segments 63A-63D include an invisible bar 62A-62D(e.g., printed in red ink). An answer description 65A-65D is printedunder each of the invisible bars 62A-62D. The user is instructed, foreach answer row 61.1-61.NN, to hand-mark the invisible bar associatedwith the desired answer description 65A-65D. After the document 60 iscompleted, each answer row 61.1-61.NN is individually scanned by reader3, and for each answer row, only the bar code segment 63A-63D having itsinvisible bar 62A-62D hand-marked is decoded and the correspondingdecoded character string 64A-64D is output to the host computer 5. Sinceeach character string identifies which answer row 61.1-61.NN it isassociated with, it is not required to sequentially scan the answerrows. Further, since the character string for each of the bar codesegments is unique, the flow-chart of FIG. 4 can be easily modified toverify that each of the answer rows 61.1-61.NN has been scanned.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which each invisible bar described withreference to FIG. 5 is replaced with sets of parallel marks 71A-71D.FIG. 6 shows a single answer row 70 which could be used to replaceanswer row one 61.1 of FIG. 5. The first preprinted bar code sequence72A in the answer row 70 includes wide and narrow bars and spacesarranged to form the character string "*01A*". All the bars (narrow andwide) in the bar code sequence 72A are printed as a grey color, with theexception of one wide bar in the bar code sequence 72A, which is printedas a set of dark black parallel marks 71A. The bars of the code areprinted in a grey color so as to direct the user's attention to theparallel marks surrounding the white spaces 75S-75D. For example, thebar code sequence 72A represents the character string "*01A*" and thelast wide bar in the "A" character is selected to be the single wide barin the bar code sequence 72A which is printed as a set of dark parallelmarks 71A.

FIG. 7A shows in greater detail the character "A" portion of the barcode sequence 72A. FIG. 7B illustrates, for reference purposes, thecharacter "A" printed in standard Code 39 format. It is to be noted thatthe first four bars (starting from the left side of the drawings) ofFIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are identical. The parallel marks 71A include bars72 and 73, having inner edges 74I and 73I, and having outer edges 740and 740, respectively. It is noted that the position of the outer edges740 and 730 correspond with the position of the outer edges of the fifthbar shown in FIG. 7B. The inner edges 74I and 73I are separated by awhite space 75A having a predetermined width X. The width X of the whitespace is intentionally selected to be large enough to prevent thedecoder 4 from successfully decoding the bar code sequence 72A.

When the reader 3 scans the pre-printed answer line 70, prior tohand-marking, a digitized signal representative of the answer line 70 isformed. The digitized signal includes an indication of the white space74A-74D between each set of parallel marks 71A-71D, respectively. Thedecoder 4 receives the digitized signal and fails to decode any of thebar code segments 72A-72D as proper code 39 character strings due to thepresence of the white spaces 74A-74D. The user hand-marks the answerline 70 by filling in a selected one of the white spaces 75A-75D. Forexample, for the user to select multiple choice answer "A" the userhand-marks white space 75A corresponding to multiple choice answer "A".However, it is known that it is difficult for a user to maintain ahand-mark within a given boundary, such as the white space 75A. However,the bars 73 and 74 surrounding the white spaces act as guard bands whichthe user's hand-mark can inadvertently extend into without a negativeeffect on the decoding of the answer line 70. After a selected one ofthe white spaces 75A-75D is hand-marked, the answer line 70 can bescanned by reader 3 and the decoding module will output the characterstring corresponding to the bar code segment 72A-72D which includes thehand-marked white space 75A-75D, in a manner similar to that describedabove with reference to FIG. 5.

Alternatives to the red invisible bars and the parallel marks abovedescribed are envisioned in accordance with the present invention. Forexample, the invisible bars could be replaced with a very lightly shadedbar which cannot be distinguished from the white spaced by the reader 3.Further, any marking which is visible to the human, but cannot bedistinguished from the white spaces by the reader 3 can be used in placeof the red invisible bars. The parallel marks could be replaced by threeor more bars, provided that the decoder 4 fails to properly decode thecharacter that includes the parallel marks. In fact, the parallel markscan be replaced by any pattern that causes the decoder 4 to fail toproperly decode the character that includes the respective pattern.Still further, the invisible bars can replace one of the bars in thestart/stop character as opposed to replacing a bar in the characterstring.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. Insome applications, the hand-mark section (e.g., answer lines 61.1-61.NN)of the document 60 shown in FIG. 5 appears to a user as excessivelycomplex due to the visibility of the bars and strips. FIG. 8 shows anopaque template sheet 90, which is removably placed over the answerlines 61.1-61.4 of the document shown in FIG. 5. The template sheet 90has cutout windows 91.1A-91.1D which are substantially the same size andshape as the invisible bars 62A-62D shown in FIG. 5, and are alignedsubstantially over the invisible bars 62A-62D. Printed on the templatesheet 90, are an indication of the question number 93 and an indicationidentifying the possible multiple choice answers 92A-92D. Similar cutoutwindows and printing on the template sheet correspond to the answer rows61.2-61.NN.

As can be appreciated, the template sheet 90 includes only the printingthat is required to be visible to the user. The underlying bars andspaces are not visible to the user, thereby simplifying the appearanceof the document.

To select an answer in answer row one 61.1, the user hand-marks aselected one of the invisible bars 62A-62D, which is positioned undercutout windows 91.1A-91.1D, respectively. There is no requirement thatthe hand-marked indication be confined to the inside of the respectivecutout window, since any markings made outside of the selected cutoutwindow will be drawn on the template sheet 90, and will not be marked onthe document. The remaining answer rows 61.2-61.NN are hand-marked in asimilar manner.

The template sheet 90 can be, for example, removably attached to thedocument by a weak adhesive that permits the template sheet 90 to beremoved without tearing or defacing the underlying document 60. To readthe document, an operator removes the template sheet 90 and utilizes thereader 3, decoder 4 and host computer 5 of FIG. 1 in a manner similar tothat described with reference to FIG. 5, to determine which answers havebeen hand-marked by the user.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show front and side views of a further embodiment of thepresent invention in which the template sheet 90 of FIG. 8 is replacedwith overlay sheet 95. Overlay sheet 95 is a opaque removable sheethaving no cutout windows. On the underside of the overlay sheet 95, ateach position which corresponds to the invisible bars 62A-62D of answerrow one 61.1, there are located transfer indications 94.1A-94.1D, eachof which can be transferred from the overlay sheet 95 to the document 60when sufficient pressure is applied to the top side 95T of overlay sheet95. Each of the transfer indications 94.1A-94.1D have a shapesubstantially similar to the invisible bars and each is positioneddirectly over a corresponding invisible bar. On the top side 95T of theoverlay sheet 95 there is printed an indication of the question number93, an indication identifying the possible multiple choice answers92A-92D for each question, and location boxes 96A-96D corresponding tothe position of the transfer indications 94.1A-94.1D.

To select an answer in answer row one 61.1, the user hand-marks aselected one of the location boxes 96A-96D with a writing instrument,such as a pen or pencil. The pressure from the pen or pencil causes thecorresponding transfer indication 94.1A-94.1D to be transferred onto thecorresponding invisible bar location on the document. The user is notrequired to remain strictly within the bounds of the selected locationbox, since there is no transfer indication outside of the position ofthe location boxes. Accordingly, hand-marks made on the top side 95T ofthe overlay sheet which are outside of the location boxes 96A-96D arenot reflected on the actual document. In this way, very messy hand-markscan be tolerated.

After all the questions are answered, the overlay sheet 95 can beremoved and the reader 3, decoding module 4 and the host computer 5 usedin a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 6 todetermine which answers have been selected.

The transfer indications 94.1A-94.1D can be, for example, carbon typeink, similar to that used in standard carbon paper, which is preprintedon the underside 95U of the overlay sheet 95. The pressure generated bythe hand-marking on the top side 95T of the overlay sheet cause aportion of the carbon ink to be transferred to the document.Alternatively the transfer indications can be a type of stencil that istransferred from the overlay sheet 95 to the document when acorresponding area on the top side 95T of then overlay sheet 95 ishand-marked.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 10, answer row one 61.1, which includes barcode segments 100A-100D is preprinted. In this embodiment each bar codesegment, as preprinted, can be read and decoded without requiringhand-marking. Referring to bar code segment 100A, it begins and endswith a bar code representing the start/stop character "*". Thecharacters between the start/stop character identify the question number(e.g., "01") and identify the answer (e.g., "A"). Below each bar codesegment 100A-100D is printed an indication of the possible multiplechoice selections 101A-101D.

Referring to FIG. 11, the user selects the multiple choice answer byplacing a hand-marked indication 105 over a portion of the bar codesegment 100A-100D which corresponds to the desired multiple choiceselection. In this way, the bar code segment corresponding to thedesired multiple choice selection is rendered non-decodable. Thehand-marked 105 indication does not have to be well formed and does nothave to be of a predetermined shape. Provided that the hand-markindication completely covers at least one of the spaces in the bar codesegment, the segment will be rendered unreadable.

The reader 3, the decoding-module 4 and the host computer 5 shown inFIG. 1 can be used to determine which of the multiple choice selectionsshown in FIG. 11 have been hand-marked. At the outset, it is noted thatmost decoding modules 4 arranged for reading standard formats, such asCode 39, will only output the characters associated with the first validbar code segment 100A-100D encountered. However, many of the knowndecoding modules are software based, and the software in the decoder canbe modified to cause the reader to output all the valid bar codesegments 100A-100D encountered in an answer row 61.1.

The reader 3 scans the answer row 61.1 and provides a digitized signalrepresenting the answer row to the modified decoding module 4. Thedecoding module decodes the digitized signal and outputs the charactersof each valid bar code segments encountered to the host computer 5. Forexample, if the user hand-marked 105 the bar code segment 100Acorresponding to multiple choice selection "A", the decoding module 4will not be able to decode bar code segment 100A but will decode barcode segments 100B-100D. Accordingly, the decoding module 4 will outputcharacter strings "01B", "01C" and "01D" to the host computer 5 The hostcomputer 5 can be programmed to store the character string thatrepresents each of the bar code segments 100A-100D of each answer row(e.g., possible character strings for answer row one are "01A", "01B","01C" and "01D") Accordingly, upon receiving the character strings fromthe decoding module 4, the host computer 5, by process of elimination,determines which of the bar code segments has been hand-marked.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, answer row 110 is a pre-printed bar codehaving a string of encoded characters positioned between one set ofencoded start/stop characters "*" 111. In the example shown, thecharacters "ABCDE" are positioned between the start/stop characters 111.Printed in red-ink over a portion of each character is a location box110A-110E. Answer row 110 can be read and decoded using a standard Code39 reader 3 and decoding module 4 provided that none of the locationboxes are hand-marked.

Referring to FIG. 13, the user selects a desired multiple choice answerby placing a hand-marked 112 indication over a portion of a selected oneof the location boxes 110A-110E, each of which corresponds to adifferent multiple choice answer. In this way, the bar code charactercorresponding to the desired multiple choice selection is renderednon-decodable.

The reader 3, the decoding module 4 and the host computer 5 shown inFIG. 1 can be used to determine which of the multiple choice selectionshave been hand-marked. At the outset, it is noted that most decodingmodules 4 arranged for reading standard formats, such as Code 39, willnot output any of the characters within a bar code segment if one ormore of the characters within the bar code segment is not decodable.However, many of the known decoding modules are software based, and thesoftware in the decoder can be modified to cause the reader to outputall the valid characters encountered in an answer row 110, even if oneor more of the characters encountered are invalid.

The reader 3 scans the answer row 110 and provides a digitized signalrepresenting the answer row to the modified decoding module 4. Thedecoding module decodes the digitized signal and outputs the validcharacters of answer row 110 to the host computer 5. For example, if theuser hand-marked 112 the location box 110A corresponding to multiplechoice selection "A", the decoding module 4 will not be able to decodethe "A" character but will decode the "B", "C", "D" and "E" character,and will output the "B", "C", "D" and "E" characters to the hostcomputer 5. The host computer 5 can be programmed to store datarepresenting all the characters of each answer row (e.g., possiblecharacters for answer row one is "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E")Accordingly, upon receiving the character strings from the decodingmodule 4, the host computer 5, by process of elimination, determineswhich of the bar code characters has been hand-marked.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, answer row 120 is a pre-printed bar code having astring of encoded characters positioned between one set of encodedstart/stop characters "*"121. In the example shown, the characters"01234567892" are positioned between the start/stop characters 121. Thefirst ten characters (e.g., "0123456789") represent different possiblemultiple choice selections 123 and the eleventh character represents achecksum character 124 calculated in accordance with the Code 39standard (e.g., sum of numerical values which are assigned to each ofthe characters in the multiple choice selection 123 is taken, modulo 43.For example, assuming the numerical values assigned to each charactershown in FIG. 14 is as follows 0=0, 1=1, 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7,8=8, 9=9: 0+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9=45; Checksum character=45 Mod 43=2).Printed in red-ink over a portion of each of the first ten characters isa location box 120A-120J. Answer row 120 can be read and decoded using astandard Code 39 reader 3 and decoding module 4 provided that none ofthe location boxes 120A-120J are hand-marked.

The user selects a desired multiple choice selection by placing ahand-marked indication 122 over a portion of a selected one of thelocation boxes 120A-120J, each of which corresponds to a differentmultiple choice selection 123. In this way, the bar code charactercorresponding to the desired multiple choice selection is renderednon-decodable. For example, FIG. 14 shows that location box 120B, whichcorresponds to multiple choice selection "1" is hand-marked, andtherefore the "1" is rendered non-decodable.

The reader 3 and the decoding module 4 shown in FIG. 1 can be used todetermine the character that corresponds to the multiple choiceselection 123 hand-marked 122. At the outset, it is noted that mostdecoding modules 4 which are arranged for reading standard formats, suchas Code 39 with checksum digit, will not output any of the characterswithin a bar code segment if the checksum calculated for the multiplechoice selections do not match the checksum digit, as is the case whereone of the multiple choice selections is hand-marked. However, many ofthe known decoding modules are software based. The software in thedecoder module 4 can be modified so that it decodes all the charactersof the answer row 120, including the checksum digit 124, with theexception of the one character which is hand-marked 122. The decoder 4then performs the operation shown in the flow-chart of FIG. 15, andoutputs to the computer 5 the identity of the one character which ishand-marked.

Referring to the flow-chart of FIG. 15, at Step 130, each of multiplechoice selections 123 is decoded by the decoding module 4, with theexception of the one multiple choice selection which is hand-marked 122,and the numerical value assigned to each of the multiple choiceselections 123 decoded are summed and the result stored as variable NHM.The checksum digit 124 is also decoded and the numerical value assignedto the checksum character is stored as variable CS.

At Step 140, the decoding module 4 determines the numerical value of thecharacter which is rendered unreadable by the hand-marking. In moredetail, it is known that (NHM+HM) Mod 43=CS, where HM equals the numericvalue associated with the hand-marked character. At Step 140 thedecoding module 4 solves for HM.

Steps 140A-140E of FIG. 16 illustrates a method by which the decodingmodule 4 solves at Step 140 for HM. At Step 140A a loop counter (LOOP)is set equal to zero. At Step 140B, LOOP is incremented by one. At Step140C, the decoder 4 calculates ((43*LOOP)+CD-NHM) and stores the resultas X. At Step 140D, if X is greater than or equal to zero, progress ismade to Step 140E where HM is set to equal X and the program returns toStep 140 in FIG. 16. If at Step 140D, X is not greater than or equal tozero, progress is made to Step 14013 where loop 140B-140D is repeateduntil X is found to be greater or equal to zero at Step 140D.

At Step 141 shown in FIG. 15, the decoder module 4 determines theidentity of the hand-marked character based upon the numerical value ofHM determined in Step 140, and outputs the identity of the hand-markedcharacter to the host computer 5.

For the specific example shown in FIG. 14, the sum of the multiplechoice selections "0123456789" 123 is "45" and therefore the checksumdigit equals (45 Mod 43)="2". The multiple choice selection "1" ishand-marked 122. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 16, at Step 130NHM=0+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9=44. In FIG. 16, at Step 140B LOOP=1, and at Step140C X=(43*1)+2-44=1. At Step 140D, "1" is determined to be greater thanzero and at Step 140E HM is set equal to "1". At Step 141 in FIG. 16, aHM value of "1" is determined to correspond to the character "1", andtherefore, the character "1" is output to the host computer 5.

As can be appreciated in the above embodiment, the host computer 5receives information identifying the hand-marked character. It is notrequired that the decoding module 4 or the host computer 5 bepre-programmed to store all the possible multiple choice selections 123.Accordingly, the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 14-16 isextremely flexible and can be applied in a variety of applications.

While the above aspects of the present invention have been illustratedand described using bar codes conforming to the Code 39 standard, andusing laser bar code readers, it is not intended that the presentinvention be limited to the details and applications shown, sincevariations and modifications and structural changes can be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can readily adapt it for variousapplications without omitting features that, from the standpoint ofprior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic orspecific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptationsshould and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and rangeof equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of entering into a system a responsehand-marked by a user comprising the steps of:a) providing a documentfor hand-marking by a user, said document having a plurality of encodedand pre-printed bar code sequences, wherein each bar code sequencecorresponds to a unique predetermined character string and includes aplurality of spaces and a plurality of bars and a modified bar, whereinthe modified bar is arranged to render the bar code sequencenon-decodable by a bar code decoding device when the modified bar is nothand-marked, and wherein the modified bar is arranged to render the barcode sequence decodable by the bar code decoding device when themodified bar is hand-marked; b) reading the plurality of bar codesequences with a bar code reading means after the modified bar of aselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences has been hand-markedby the user and forming a first signal representative of the pluralityof bar code sequences; c) processing the first signal with the bar codedecoding device to decode said unique predetermined character stringcorresponding to the selected one of the plurality of bar code sequenceswhich includes the hand-marked modified bar, and forming a second signalincluding the decoded unique predetermined character string of theselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences; and d) outputtingthe second signal from the bar code decoding device to the system. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein, on the document provided to the user, thebars of the plurality of bar code sequences are a first color and themodified bar of each of the plurality of bar code sequences is a secondcolor, wherein the bar code reading means can distinguish the firstcolor from the second color, and wherein the second color of themodified bar hand-marked by the user prior to the reading step has beenchanged to be indistinguishable from the first color of the bars.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 wherein the first color is substantially black, thesecond color is substantially red, and the color of the spaces issubstantially white.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein, on the documentprovided to the user, each modified bar includes a pattern which rendersthe bar code non-decodable, and wherein the modified bar hand-marked bythe user prior to the reading step has been darkened to render the barcode decodable.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pattern is aplurality of guide bars separated by a predetermined space.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 including the additional step of providing with saiddocument a template means for guiding a hand-marking device over theselected modified bar, wherein said template means may be removablyaffixed on top of the plurality of bar code sequences and has aplurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings being alignedwith the position of the modified bars.
 7. The method of claim 6 whereinthe modified bar is a space.
 8. The method of claim 1 including theadditional step of providing with said document an overlay meansremovably affixed on top of the plurality of bar code sequences andhaving a plurality of transfer indication means, each of said transferindication means being aligned with the position of one of the modifiedbars, and wherein the modified bar of the selected one of the pluralityof bar code sequences has been hand-marked by the user prior to thereading step by transferring from the overlay means to the modified barat least a portion of the transfer indication means aligned therewith.9. A method of entering into a system a response hand-marked by a usercomprising the steps of:a) providing a document for hand-marking by auser, said document having a plurality of encoded and pre-printed barcode sequences each corresponding to a unique predetermined characterstring, wherein each bar code sequence is decodable when it is nothand-marked and undecodable when it is hand-marked; b) storing theunique predetermined character strings corresponding to each of theplurality of bar code sequences in a memory; c) reading the plurality ofbar code sequences with a bar code reading means after at least one ofthe plurality of bar code sequences has been hand-marked by the user andforming a first signal representative of the plurality of bar codesequences; d) processing the first signal with a bar code decodingdevice to decode each of said unique predetermined character stringscorresponding to the plurality of bar code sequences other than thehand-marked bar code sequences, and forming a second signal representingthe decoded unique predetermined character strings which correspond tothe plurality of bar code sequences other than the hand-marked bar codesequences; and e) comparing the unique predetermined character stringsrepresented in the second signal against the contents of the memory, andbased on the comparison, forming a third signal representing the uniquepredetermined characters which are contained in the memory but are notrepresented in the second signal.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein, onthe document provided to the user, each of the plurality of bar codesequences includes a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, andwherein all of at least one of the plurality of spaces of the selectedbar code sequences hand-marked by the user prior to the reading step hasbeen darkened.
 11. A method of entering into a system a responsehand-marked by a user comprising the steps of:a) providing a documentfor hand-marking by a user, said document having a plurality of encodedand pre-printed characters in a bar code sequence, wherein each encodedcharacter of the bar code sequence is decodable when it is nothand-marked and undecodable when it is hand-marked; b) storing each ofthe plurality of characters of the bar code sequence in a memory; c)reading the bar code sequence with a bar code reading means after atleast one of the plurality of encoded characters has been hand-marked bythe user and forming a first signal representative of the bar codesequence; d) processing the first signal with a bar code decoding deviceto decode each of said plurality of characters other than the at leastone hand-marked character, and forming a second signal representing eachof the decoded characters other than the hand-marked characters; and e)comparing the characters represented by the second signal against thecontents of the memory, and based on the comparison, forming a thirdsignal representing the characters which are contained in the memory butare not represented by the second signal.
 12. A method of entering intoa system a response hand-marked by a user comprising the steps of:a)providing a document for hand-marking by a user, said document having aplurality of encoded and pre-printed data characters in a bar codesequence, one of which may be hand-marked, the bar code sequence furtherincluding a checksum character which is a function of the plurality ofdata characters, wherein the checksum character and each encoded datacharacter of the bar code sequence are decodable when they are nothand-marked and wherein an encoded data character of the bar codesequence is undecodable when it is hand-marked; b) reading the bar codesequence with a bar code reading means after at least one of theplurality of encoded data characters of the bar code sequence has beenhand-marked by the user and forming a first signal representative of thebar code sequence; c) processing the first signal with a bar codedecoding device to decode the checksum character and to decode each ofsaid plurality of data characters other than the hand-marked character,and forming a second signal representing the checksum character and thedecoded characters which correspond to the plurality of data charactersother than the hand-marked character; and d) processing the secondsignal to determine the value of the hand-marked character based uponthe decoded checksum character and the decoded plurality of datacharacters other than the hand-marked character, and forming a thirdsignal representing the hand-marked character.
 13. A bar code dataacquisition system for obtaining a response hand-marked by a usercomprising:a) a document for hand-marking by a user, said documenthaving a plurality of encoded and pre-printed bar code sequences,wherein each bar code sequence corresponds to a unique predeterminedcharacter string and includes a plurality of spaces and a plurality ofbars and a modified bar, wherein the modified bar is arranged to renderthe bar code sequence non-decodable by a bar code decoding device whenthe modified bar is not hand-marked, and wherein the modified bar isarranged to render the bar code sequence decodable by the bar codedecoding device when the modified bar is hand-marked; b) a bar codereading means for scanning the document after the modified bar of aselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences has been hand-markedby the user and for forming a first signal representative of theplurality of bar code sequences; and c) a bar code decoding device forprocessing the first signal from the bar code reading means and fordecoding said unique predetermined character string corresponding to theselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences which includes thehand-marked modified bar, and for forming a second signal including thedecoded unique predetermined character string of the selected one of theplurality of bar code sequences.
 14. The bar code data acquisitionsystem of claim 13 wherein, on the document, the bars of the pluralityof bar code sequences are a first color and the modified bar of each ofthe plurality of bar code sequences is a second color, wherein the barcode reading means can distinguish the first color from the secondcolor.
 15. The bar code data acquisition system of claim 14 wherein thebar code reading means comprises a laser based scanning device.
 16. Thebar code data acquisition system of claim 15 wherein the first color issubstantially black, the second color is substantially red, and thecolor of the spaces is substantially white.
 17. The bar code dataacquisition system of claim 13 wherein, on the document, each modifiedbar includes a pattern which renders the bar code non-decodable andwhich can be darkened by a user to render the bar code decodable. 18.The bar code data acquisition system of claim 17 wherein the pattern isa plurality of guide bars separated by a predetermined space.
 19. Thebar code data acquisition system of claim 13 further comprising atemplate means for guiding a hand-marking device over a selectedmodified bar, wherein said template means may be removably affixed ontop of the plurality of bar code sequences on the document and has aplurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings being alignedwith the position of the modified bars.
 20. The bar code dataacquisition system of claim 19 wherein the modified bar is a space. 21.The bar code data acquisition system of claim 13 further comprising anoverlay means removably affixed on top of the plurality of bar codesequences of the document and having a plurality of transfer indicationmeans, each of said transfer indication means being aligned with theposition of one of the modified bars, and wherein the modified bar of aselected one of the plurality of bar code sequences may be hand-markedby the user by transferring from the overlay means to the modified barat least a portion of the transfer indication means aligned therewith.22. A bar code data acquisition system for obtaining a responsehand-marked by a user comprising:a) a document for hand-marking by auser, said document having a plurality of encoded and pre-printed barcode sequences each corresponding to a unique predetermined characterstring, wherein each bar code sequence is decodable by a bar codedecoding device when it is not hand-marked and undecodable by a bar codedecoding device when it is hand-marked; b) memory means for storing theunique predetermined character strings corresponding to each of theplurality of bar code sequences; c) a bar code reading means forscanning said document after at least one of the plurality of bar codesequences has been hand-marked by a user and for forming a first signalrepresentative of the plurality of bar code sequences; d) a bar codedecoding device for processing the first signal from the bar codereading means and for decoding each of said unique predeterminedcharacter strings corresponding to the plurality of bar code sequencesother than the hand-marked bar code sequences, and for forming a secondsignal representing the decoded unique predetermined character stringswhich correspond to the plurality of bar code sequences other than thehand-marked bar code sequences; and e) means for comparing the uniquepredetermined character strings represented in the second signal againstthe contents of the memory means, and based on the comparison, forforming a third signal representing the unique predetermined characterswhich are contained in the memory means but are not represented in thesecond signal.
 23. The bar code data acquisition system of claim 22wherein, on the document, each of the plurality of bar code sequencesincludes a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, and wherein allof at least one of the plurality of spaces of the selected bar codesequences hand-marked by the user has been darkened.
 24. The bar codedata acquisition system of claim 23 wherein the bar code reading meanscomprises a laser based scanning device.
 25. A bar code data acquisitionsystem for obtaining a response hand-marked by a user comprising:a) adocument for hand-marking by a user, said document having a plurality ofencoded and pre-printed characters in a bar code sequence, wherein eachencoded character of the bar code sequence is decodable by a bar codedecoding device when it is not hand-marked and undecodable by a bar codedecoding device when it is hand-marked; b) memory means for storing eachof the plurality of characters of the bar code sequence; c) a bar codereading means for scanning the document after at least one of theplurality of encoded characters has been hand-marked by the user and forforming a first signal representative of the bar code sequence; d) a barcode decoding device for processing the first signal from the bar codereading means and for decoding each of said plurality of charactersother than the at least one hand-marked character, and for forming asecond signal representing each of the decoded characters other than thehand-marked characters; and e) means for comparing the charactersrepresented by the second signal against the contents of the memorymeans, and based on the comparison, for forming a third signalrepresenting the characters which are contained in the memory means butare not represented by the second signal.
 26. The bar code dataacquisition system of claim 25 wherein the bar code reading meanscomprises a laser based scanning device.
 27. A bar code data acquisitionsystem for obtaining a response hand-marked by a user comprising:a) adocument for hand-marking by a user, said document having a plurality ofencoded and pre-printed data characters in a bar code sequence, one ofwhich may be hand-marked, the bar code sequence further including achecksum character which is a function of the plurality of datacharacters, wherein the checksum character and each encoded datacharacter of the bar code sequence are decodable by a bar code decodingdevice when they are not hand-marked and wherein an encoded datacharacter of the bar code sequence is undecodable by a bar code decodingdevice when it is hand-marked; b) a bar code reading means for scanningthe document after one of the plurality of encoded data characters ofthe bar code sequence has been hand-marked by the user and for forming afirst signal representative of the bar code sequence; c) a bar codedecoding device for processing the first signal to decode the checksumcharacter and to decode each of said plurality of data characters otherthan the hand-marked character, and for forming a second signalrepresenting the checksum character and the decoded characters whichcorrespond to the plurality of data characters other than thehand-marked character; and d) means for processing the second signal todetermine the value of the hand-marked character based upon the decodedchecksum character and the decoded plurality of data characters otherthan the hand-marked character, and for forming a third signalrepresenting the hand-marked character.
 28. The bar code dataacquisition system of claim 27 wherein the bar code reading meanscomprises a laser based scanning device.
 29. A document for hand-markingby a user so as to provide a machine readable response, said documenthaving a plurality of encoded and pre-printed bar code sequences,wherein each bar code sequence corresponds to a unique predeterminedcharacter string and includes a plurality of spaces and a plurality ofbars and a modified bar, wherein the modified bar is arranged to renderthe bar code sequence non-decodable by a bar code decoding device whenthe modified bar is not hand-marked, and wherein the modified bar isarranged to render the bar code sequence decodable by the bar codedecoding device when the modified bar is hand-marked.
 30. The documentof claim 29 wherein the bars of the plurality of bar code sequences area first color and the modified bar of each of the plurality of bar codesequences is a second color, the first color being distinguishable fromthe second color by a bar code reading means.
 31. The document of claim30 wherein the first color is substantially black, the second color issubstantially red, and the color of the spaces is substantially white.32. The document of claim 29 wherein each modified bar includes apattern which renders the bar code non-decodable and which can bedarkened by a user to render the bar code decodable.
 33. The document ofclaim 32 wherein the pattern is a plurality of guide bars separated by apredetermined space.
 34. The document of claim 29 further comprising atemplate means for guiding a hand-marking device over a selectedmodified bar, wherein said template means may be removably affixed ontop of the plurality of bar code sequences on the document and has aplurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings being alignedwith the position of the modified bars.
 35. The document of claim 34wherein the modified bar is a space.
 36. The document of claim 29further comprising an overlay means removably affixed on top of theplurality of bar code sequences of the document and having a pluralityof transfer indication means, each of said transfer indication meansbeing aligned with the position of one of the modified bars, and whereinthe modified bar of a selected one of the plurality of bar codesequences may be hand-marked by the user by transferring from theoverlay means to the modified bar at least a portion of the transferindication means aligned therewith.